advances

Noun

advance (plural advances)

1. A forward move; improvement or progression.
   • an advance in health or knowledge
2. An amount of money or credit, especially given as a loan, or paid before it is due; an advancement.
   • Could he ask the cashier privately for an advance? No, the cashier was no good, no damn good: he wouldn't give an advance.1904–1907 (date written), James Joyce, “Counterparts”, in Dubliners, London: Grant Richards, published June 1914, →OCLC, page 109
3. An addition to the price; rise in price or value.
   • an advance on the prime cost of goods
4. (in plural, often) An opening approach or overture, now especially of an unwelcome or sexual nature.
   • For, if it were of any use to recall matters of fact, what is more notorious, than that prince's applying himself first to the church of England? and upon their refusal to fall in with his measures, making the like advances to the dissenters of all kinds, who readily and almost universally complied...1708, Jonathan Swift, The Sentiments of a Church of England Man with Respect to Religion and Government

See all 20 meanings of advance